Practical Advice From a Practicing Veterinarian
I’ve been a licensed veterinarian in Texas for over a decade, and pregnancy care is one of those areas where small decisions make an outsized difference. I’ve seen smooth, uneventful litters—and I’ve also treated emergency cases that could have been avoided with better preparation and calmer handling early on.
Taking care of a pregnant dog isn’t complicated, but it does require attention, restraint, and a willingness to stop doing some well-intentioned but harmful things.
What follows is how I actually advise my clients and how I manage pregnant dogs in my own practice, not textbook theory.
The first few weeks: confirming pregnancy without overdoing it
One of the most common mistakes I see is owners rushing to “do everything” the moment they suspect pregnancy. In reality, the first few weeks are about confirmation and observation, not intervention.
In my clinic, I usually confirm pregnancy around three to four weeks using an ultrasound. I had a client last spring who insisted on repeated scans because she was anxious that something would go wrong. The dog became visibly stressed, stopped eating well, and developed digestive upset. Once we slowed down, limited visits, and focused on routine care, things stabilized.
At home, this early stage means keeping life as normal as possible. Regular walks are fine. Every day routines are good. I advise against diet changes this early unless the dog was already underfed or on poor-quality food.
Feeding a pregnant dog: more food, but not right away
I regularly have to talk people out of overfeeding during the first half of pregnancy. Extra calories too early lead to unnecessary weight gain, which makes delivery harder.
Around the fifth week, that changes. That is when I recommend gradually transitioning to a high-quality puppy or growth formula. Not because it’s trendy, but because the nutrient density supports fetal development without requiring huge portion sizes.
One thing I’ve learned the hard way: sudden food switches cause problems. Years ago, I saw a dog develop severe diarrhea after the owner changed the food overnight, following online advice. Now I’m very clear—slow transitions over a week prevent most of those issues.
Smaller, more frequent meals also help as the abdomen fills and appetite becomes unpredictable.
Exercise: movement matters, exhaustion doesn’t
Pregnant dogs still need movement. What they don’t need is forced endurance.
I had a working breed patient whose owner continued intense agility training well into pregnancy because “she seemed fine.” She wasn’t fine. The dog arrived lethargic and dehydrated, and we ended up monitoring her closely for early labor signs.
My rule is simple: regular walks, light play, and stopping the moment the dog shows fatigue. No jumping drills. No forced runs. Let the dog set the pace.
Veterinary check-ins that actually matter
There are a few moments in pregnancy where veterinary care genuinely changes outcomes.
Mid-pregnancy exams allow us to assess body condition and adjust feeding before weight becomes a problem. Late-pregnancy visits help identify risks like oversized litters or pelvic limitations.
I’m very opinionated about supplements. Unless I’ve recommended calcium for a specific medical reason, don’t add it. I’ve treated multiple cases of eclampsia triggered by unnecessary supplementation that disrupted the dog’s natural calcium regulation.
Preparing for whelping without turning your house upside down
About a week before the due window, I suggest setting up a quiet, draft-free area where the dog can retreat. The keyword is “quiet.” I’ve watched dogs abandon beautifully prepared whelping boxes because they were placed in busy rooms.
One memorable case involved a family who set up the box near the kitchen so they could “keep an eye on things.” The dog kept moving her puppies behind the couch instead. Once they relocated the space to a spare room, the problem was resolved overnight.
Let the dog choose the space if possible. Your job is to make it safe, warm, and undisturbed.
Recognizing real warning signs
Most deliveries go off without a hitch, but knowing when to worry matters.
I tell owners to call immediately if labor stalls for hours, if there’s green discharge before puppies appear, or if the dog seems exhausted and disengaged. Trust your instincts. I’d rather reassure someone than see a dog arrive too late.
One situation that sticks with me involved a dog who stopped pushing because the owner assumed rest was regular. By the time they came in, the puppy was already in distress. Early intervention could have prevented that outcome.
After the puppies arrive: caring for the mother, not just the litter
Once puppies are born, attention shifts—but the mother still needs support.
She’ll need more food, more water, and space from curious visitors. I advise clients to limit handling in the first days. Stress affects milk production more than most people realize.
I also encourage owners to monitor the mother’s behavior closely. Sudden aggression, lethargy, or refusal to eat isn’t “just hormones.” Those are signals.
Mistakes I see over and over again
If I had to narrow it down, these are the errors I encounter most often in practice:
- Overfeeding early in pregnancy
- Adding supplements without veterinary advice
- Forcing exercise instead of observing tolerance
- Creating noisy or high-traffic whelping areas
None of these comes from neglect. It comes from trying too hard without enough guidance.
Taking care of a dog who is pregnant is less about constant action and more about steady, informed restraint. In my experience, the healthiest pregnancies belong to dogs whose owners stayed observant, avoided shortcuts, and were willing to slow down when the dog needed it.
